Oral Answers to Questions

Sarah Coombes Excerpts

Thursday 6th February 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sarah Coombes (West Bromwich) (Lab)]

7. What assessment she has made of the potential merits of the use of technology to improve efficiency in the criminal justice system.

[The Solicitor General]

New technology has the potential to bring transformative benefits to the criminal justice system, as it does to public services more broadly. With regard to artificial intelligence, both the CPS and the SFO are keen to explore the efficiency opportunities that this new technology can bring, while being mindful of ethical considerations.

[Sarah Coombes]

We have seen a sickening rise in predators using AI technology to generate child sexual abuse images. I am glad that the Government recently announced measures to close the loopholes in this area, but will the Solicitor General assure us that the whole criminal justice system is using every new technology and AI, as well as tough sentences, to crack down on it and protect children and victims of this horrific abuse?

[The Solicitor General]

My hon. Friend is right to raise this extremely important point. That is exactly why I welcome the Home Secretary’s announcement that this Government will be the first in the world to make it illegal to possess, create or distribute AI tools designed to generate child sexual abuse material, punishable by up to five years in prison.